Codes of Practice
This section includes our codes of practice for:
Energy Use
Outdoor Activities
Transport
Waste and By-products
Energy Use
Energy losses within Impact Development Training Ltd buildings occur from excessive heating or cooling, electrics left switched on when not in use, and lights left switched on when not necessary. It is Impact’s policy that energy efficient methods are used wherever possible.Heating
Heating in the offices is switched off during the summer months and is on for two limited periods during the winter.
Electrics
Computers
Computers are backed up over night, and therefore cannot be switched off at the end of the day. However, during the Christmas break it is possible to leave computers that will not be in use switched off. Laptops when not in use for an extended period of time can be shut down to use the least electricity. If they are not in use for a shorter period of time they can be closed allowing energy saving functions to engage.
All other electrics should be switched off over night, including photocopiers, printers, boilers, TV’s and video players.
Lighting
Fluorescent tubes or energy saving bulbs are used throughout the Impact offices. Significantly less energy in used then with a conventional tungsten light bulb. Lights are switched off at the end of the day, and also when leaving a room that will not be used in the next 15 minutes.
Outdoor Activities
Many of the activities undertaken on an Impact programme take place away from our grounds and occur in potentially environmentally sensitive areas. Environmental risk assessments will be completed for all activities, and will be strictly adhered to.Lake Activities
PowerboatsThe use of powerboats is essential for safety cover on lake activities. However, there are potential and realised environmental impacts associated with their use. Petrol and oil skims are left on the surface of the lake as a product of two stroke engines. Also the boats can cause a significant disturbance to both wildlife and lake users. This is minimised by adhering to lake speed restrictions and by-laws.
When the current engines require replacing on Impact owned powerboats, we will do so with four stroke engines as they produce significantly less oil skim.
A larger displacement craft will be purchased to reduce the numbers of powerboats hired.
Rafting, Canoeing and Kayaking
Designated access and egress points are used on all water based activities thereby protecting lakeshore habitat from group usage.
Land Activities
Climbing, Ridge Scrambling and AbseilingGroup usage of the same crags will result in erosion and may cause disturbance to local wildlife populations. Erosion is monitored and wherever possible kept to a minimum by varying routes, crags and group gathering areas. It is our policy that large groups use man made edges such as quarries in order to minimise the impact we have on the natural crag environment.
Each crag that we use regularly will have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done. This will be reviewed periodically, and if the impact in question is causing significant damage, an alternative will be used.
Caving
The formations within a cave are highly sensitive, and will be damaged if disturbed. Caves with sensitive formations are not used with Impact groups. Carbide lamps, which create soot, are not used.
Each cave that we use will have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done. This will be reviewed periodically, and if the impact in question is causing significant damage, an alternative will be used.
Walking and Mountain Biking
Overuse of the same footpaths and bridleways may result in erosion. Paths are monitored for erosion, and routes are changed when the impacts of our groups are creating a significant deterioration in path quality. SSSI areas are not used.
Ghyll Scrambling
Ghyll flora is particularly vulnerable to damage by scrambling. A number of ghylls in the Lake District have a SSSI status or have areas of sensitive habitat. Impact groups do not use these ghylls.
Each ghyll that we use will have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done. This will be reviewed periodically, and if the impact in question is causing significant damage, an alternative will be used.
Tree Projects
Trees used during experiential projects are monitored for signs of damage. If significant damage is noticed either to the tree or immediate sensitive ground flora, alternative sites will be used.
Tree Climb Project
An environmental impact assessment has been completed which determined that the impact on the larch used near the back of the UK Impact Stores was significant. Therefore, coniferous trees are unsuitable for this project. If this project is to be used in the future another environmental impact assessment will be done.
Group Development Projects (GDP’s)
The areas used for GDP’s are typically hotel lawns and woodlands of a low ecological value. We do not use areas of high ecological value, or those areas containing sensitive flora and fauna.
Transport
Emissions from company transport represent the largest source of carbon emissions to the atmosphere at Impact Development Training Ltd. To that extent we will strive to reduce our carbon footprint by adopting more carbon efficient methods whenever practicable.Vehicles
Company owned or leased vehicles represent the majority of travel undertaken on a daily basis. Due consideration into frequency of use is taken into account. The fuel efficiency and carbon emissions is taken into consideration when purchasing or leasing vehicles.
Transport Methods
When deciding upon transport needs, public transport should always be considered as the first choice. If this is impractical then transport should be minimised wherever possible. Venue staff will challenge transport methods if public transport alternatives are available.
Car-pooling
Car-pooling and lift sharing is encouraged for all employees for both daily work and commuting needs.
Waste and By-products
Wherever possible we will minimise waste products generated by the daily operations of Impact Development Training Ltd. Where this is not possible, waste products will either be re-used or recycled.Our policy on waste products include:
• Consumables
• Food Products
• Hazardous Chemicals
• Impact Programmes
Consumables
PaperRecycle bins are in all offices and meeting spaces throughout the organisation. Junk mail is returned to the sender and removed from mailing lists.
Previously used paper is used for printing rough copies on our office printers. Double sided printing is encouraged and possible in all office spaces.
Cardboard
Any cardboard which has not had meat products on is taken along with waste paper for recycling. Some of the hotel catering suppliers will take boxes back with them on each delivery, which is managed by the kitchen staff.
Plastics
Plastics are recycled wherever possible, either through an external agency or directly with community recycling facilities.
Glass
All glass is recycled. We have recycling bins at each Impact owned hotel for each colour of glass we deal with.
Batteries
Where possible rechargeable batteries are used. Used normal batteries are collected and taken to be recycled.
Toner cartridges
Used cartridges in the UK are collected by Action Aid who re-fill them.
Food Products
Unwanted foods are taken back by the venue if appropriate. At Impact owned hotels leftover foods are given out for staff lunches if suitable.Unwanted lunch or snack items are made available to Impact staff.
Hazardous Chemicals
DetergentsDetergents are used in the pressure washer. The pressure washer detergent contains chelating agents, which have an adverse affect upon the mobility of heavy metals in the environment. After an environmental impact assessment it was found that the impacts were minimal.
Paints, Solvents and Adhesives
Wherever possible the use of chemicals hazardous to health and the environment should be eliminated. For example, it is our policy that we will use water based paints instead of solvent based unless absolutely necessary.
In the UK any hazardous chemicals used during regular maintenance need to be disposed of by a licensed carrier. A Controlled Waste Transfer Note must be filled out if the chemicals are to be removed by a third party.
Hazardous chemicals are not disposed of down the mains sewers or drains.
Paint tins that are in their original container and more than 1/3 full can be taken to nationwide locations for re-use at community projects. See http://www.communityrepaint.org.uk/Donate_Where.php for a postcode search engine.
Diesel Tanks
Diesel tanks at Impact owned hotels are bunded to prevent spillages. When filling vehicles care is taken to ensure no spillages occur from overfilling.
Powerboat Fuel
The greatest potential for hazardous chemicals entering a sensitive environment is when dealing with petrochemicals at Impact owned boathouses, in particular when filling powerboat petrol tanks. Our policy is to fill petrol tanks in the bosuns cabin. If a spillage does occur the procedures stipulated in the Environment Accident Plan are adhered to.
Impact Programmes
Course Consumables
Whilst on an Impact programme consumable products are reused wherever possible. If this is not possible the locally available recycling facilities are used.
Waste produced from refurbishment style CAP’s is separated by type. Cardboard, wood, plastics, paper, re-usable materials and general waste are all placed in the appropriate bin or skip.
Any materials that can be recycled are taken to a local recycling facility rather than being transported back up to the office. Local recycling facilities in the UK can be found by looking at http://www.wastedirectory.org.uk/ Re-usable materials such as paint, wood, metals and fixings can either be left with the community partner if they can be used, or otherwise brought back to Windermere where the Impact Builders can use them.
General site waste is placed in the site skip, the removal of which is done externally. A waste transfer note must be filled out if any of the contents are hazardous.
The Site Manager is responsible for the correct disposal of all waste.
New Projects
When designing new projects the amount of waste produced should be taken into account. If a large amount of waste is produced, alternatives should be looked at, especially if the waste is not recyclable. Conversations with a colleague are encouraged to discuss all possibilities.
